Egypt, Coptic period, Byzantine Empire, ca. 4th to 6th century CE. A plain-woven linen and wool tunic yoke that has been dyed multiple colors and depicts a scene of three dancers / musicians. The central dancer may hold a tambourine or similar instrument in one hand, while the other is raised; the other two dancers have unique clothing (meaning that each dancer was individually designed, rather than copied from one another). They are separated by a looping, decorative curve that runs sinuously through the scene, perhaps meant to suggest a large ribbon or piece of fabric used in the dance. Is this a scene from a festival? Why would someone choose to wear this pattern? Size of textile panel: 10.75" L x 12.25" W (27.3 cm x 31.1 cm); size of included frame: 14.25" L x 16.25" W (36.2 cm x 41.3 cm)

Textiles were produced by Copts and other weavers throughout the Byzantine Empire; ones like this were preserved by being buried in arid Egyptian graves and represent some of our oldest known decorated cloth. This was probably a piece of a tunic, the most common garment worn in Egypt at the time. Coptic craftsmen drew design motifs, like the dancers shown here, from a wide variety of images relating to life in the Eastern Mediterranean: Greco-Roman myths, pastoral scenes from the Nile River, Syrian and Persian depictions of the hunt; and celebratory or monumental civic occasions; all of these combined to make a uniquely detailed and joyful artistic tradition.

Provenance: private Denver, Colorado, USA collection; loaned to Denver Art Museum by the family for exhibition in 1985 (see sticker on back of frame)

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#129007

The textile has some surface wear and staining commensurate with age and burial. Fraying and losses around the edges and with some small losses in the central motif, notably around the neck of the middle figure. Overall very nice condition given its age and material.